Fintech Surge on Display as Money20/20 Unfolds in Riyadh

Money20/20 Middle East has opened at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, drawing more than 450 exhibiting brands, upwards of 600 investors, and over 45,000 attendees as Saudi Arabia works to deepen its fintech credentials under Vision 2030.

The conference—scheduled from September 15 to 17—marks a major escalation in the country’s ambition to become a global fintech hub. It is co-organised by authorities including the Saudi Central Bank, the Capital Market Authority and Fintech Saudi, alongside private organisers such as Tahaluf.

Key themes at the event include artificial intelligence in finance, embedded finance, regulatory harmonisation, and financial inclusion. Founders and regulators are using the platform to explore growth debt, cross-border payments, open banking, and inclusive innovation.

Presenters span global regulators, banking executives, and fintech leaders. Acting chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Caroline D. Pham, Ant International president Douglas Feagin, Standard Chartered’s data chief Mohammed Rahim, and SWIFT’s chief innovation officer Tom Zschach are among those set to speak. Saudi-based leaders will also be active, offering regional perspective on regulation and market growth.

In the first half of 2025, fintech investments in the Middle East and North Africa more than tripled year-on-year, reaching about USD 596 million, accounting for roughly 39% of total capital raised across the region. Saudi Arabia’s active fintech firms stood at 261 in 2024, well in excess of earlier targets.

Saudi regulators are aiming for 525 fintech firms by 2030, and project the sector’s contribution to GDP to grow to SAR 13.3 billion. Employment in fintech has surpassed 11,000 jobs, with the goal to reach 18,000 by the end of the decade.